biological urges

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "biological urges" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to innate impulses that are hardwired into the body and influence our behavior. For example, "When a baby cries, it is responding to one of its biological urges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

We know that you're too busy fighting off your biological urges to Get Involved, but politics is cool, m'kay?

The Guardian - Sport

They were varieties of "This is what I was forced to do" — by sexual mores when he was married, or by implacable biological urges when he wasn't married.

The New York Times

There have been so many times when a student is on the verge of a solution if only he (in this case, he/she is not applicable) could suppress his biological urges for one moment.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

She is unsure if buying so many goods is a result of a culture of materialism or biological urges, but she remembers herself "nesting vigorously, madly, intensively" when she was a pregnant graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania.

The New York Times

Its protagonists, Nick and Andrew, are forced to navigate the rough seas of puberty while besieged by biological urges represented by convivial, and chatty, creatures called "hormone monsters". Now the real Nick and Andrew were back at the scene of the crime.

The New Yorker

However, it remains to be seen whether a theory of biological urges is usefully recast in PC terminology in this way, or whether PC theory is better characterized as only part of the explanation.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Sometimes I think love is just a biological urge.

The New York Times - Tech

"We're using mosquitoes' biological urge to our advantage", Oxitec chief executive Hadyn Parry tells Guardian Sustainable Business.

The Guardian

Mahmud was intrigued by the idea that we have a biological urge toward caring.

The New Yorker

But now I had an almost biological urge to close this gap in my knowledge.

The New Yorker

I have new respect for the power of the biological urge now that hormones are releasing their hold on me.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the influence of biology on behavior, use "biological urges" to accurately convey the innate, instinctual drivers behind actions, especially in scientific or academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "biological urges" as the sole explanation for complex behaviors. Acknowledge the interplay between biology, environment, and personal agency for a nuanced perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "biological urges" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies and refers to the innate, instinctual drives rooted in the biological makeup of an organism. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it describes these innate impulses.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "biological urges" refers to the innate, instinctual drivers behind behaviors. Grammatically correct and usable, as Ludwig AI confirms, it’s best employed when discussing the influence of biology on actions, primarily in news, scientific, and academic settings. While versatile, remember to acknowledge other contributing factors like environment and personal agency for a balanced view. For alternatives, consider "instinctual impulses" or "innate drives". Usage is less common in formal and business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instinctual impulses

Focuses on the inherent, unlearned nature of the drives.

innate drives

Highlights the inborn quality of these motivating factors.

natural inclinations

Emphasizes the inherent tendency toward certain behaviors.

hardwired behaviors

Draws attention to the neurological basis of these actions.

primordial instincts

Suggests ancient and fundamental roots of the urges.

basic impulses

Highlights the fundamental and essential nature of these urges.

biological imperatives

Emphasizes the necessary and unavoidable nature of these drives from a biological perspective.

evolutionary drives

Links the urges to the process of natural selection and survival.

inherent predispositions

Focuses on the pre-existing tendencies shaped by biology.

genetic predispositions

Highlights the genetic component influencing these behaviors.

FAQs

How can I use "biological urges" in a sentence?

You can use "biological urges" to describe innate impulses. For example, "The study examined how social factors can influence the expression of "biological urges"."

What are some alternative phrases for "biological urges"?

Some alternatives include "instinctual impulses", "innate drives", or "natural inclinations", each emphasizing slightly different aspects of inherent drives.

Is it correct to say "biological urges" or should I use a different term?

The phrase "biological urges" is grammatically correct and widely used. Its appropriateness depends on the context; it's best suited for discussing innate, biologically-driven behaviors.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the term "biological urges"?

The term "biological urges" is suitable in contexts where you're discussing the innate, instinctual drives that influence behavior, particularly in scientific, academic, or psychological discussions.